ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Mar. 24) –The Central Washington University softball team played host to Concordia University in their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference meeting of the year. The Cavaliers snapped the Wildcats' 10-game win streak in game one by a score of 6-4 before the Cavaliers took the second game 7-2.
"I'd like to give credit to Concordia," CWU head coach Mike Larabee said. "I thought they played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. They put the ball in play and forced the issue on us today."
The Wildcats (17-6, 10-2) trailed the Cavaliers (14-13, 7-5) 4-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning. The Central bats came alive when Katie Kastning started a two out rally with a single back to the pitcher.
Alycia Bannan came up and doubled off of the left field fence scoring Kastning from first. After a Maddy Zerr walk, Kayla Smith reached on a fielding error by the right fielder allowing Theresa Moyle, who pinch ran for Bannan, to score from second on the play.
After a scoreless inning posted by Samantha Stanfield, the Wildcats came back for more. This time, Kayla Ellis did it on her own with a solo shot over the left field fence. Rachael Johnson came up two batters later and roped a single to right field. Johnson moved to second on a wild pitch and then to third after a passed ball. After a Savannah Egbert walk, Kastning doubled to right field scoring Johnson. The wildcats tied the game at four heading into the final inning.
The Cavaliers' Hannah Self blasted the first pitch if the seventh inning over the center field fence to give her team a 5-4 lead. The Cavaliers added an insurance run and would go on to take the game 6-4.
Game two featured a consistent offensive attack from the Cavaliers. They scored three runs in the second inning, highlighted by doubles that drove in a run a piece from Linda Gherir and Macy Besuyen. The Cavaliers led 5-1 in the fifth inning when Self hit another home run. This time, it was a two-run shot that capped an outstanding offensive day for her club.
Contrary to Saturday, the Wildcat offense was quiet on Sunday. In the third inning, Kastning had a single that brought home Egbert. The run was the only Wildcats run until the final inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Wildcats had loaded the bases with one out. Keegan Wise drew a walk, bringing in a run for the team. The Wildcats were unable to get any more runs out of the late inning rally, dropping the game 7-2.
"It was Jackal and Hyde compared to yesterday," Larabee said. "We looked like, and played like we are one of the best Division II programs in the country, but came out today and looked pretty average. I think today will keep our kids hungry and sort of humble us a little bit."
The Wildcats take a massive road trip to California this week. It starts on Wednesday when the team takes on Stanislaus State at 5:00 p.m. On Thursday, the Wildcats take on the best team in the country in No. 1 Concordia (Calif.). From Friday through Sunday, the team plays five games in the Tournament of Champions in Turlock, Calif.
"We've got a great tournament coming up," Larabee said. "We've just got to bounce back. Anytime our team has had adversity, whether it be at practice or in a game, they've always come back and played well. I'm really confident that we'll do that."
